Rotherham United of England defender, Semi Ajayi and Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia defender, Bryan Idowu both missed their hopes of home debuts with the Super Eagles on Saturday, as they were not listed for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.
Idowu, who got his Nigeria debut and scored on November 14, 2017 against Argentina, is yet to play on his country’s home soil since switching allegiance from the nation of his birth, while same applies for Ajayi, who got his debut in the previous AFCON qualifier away to Seychelles.
They both felt good to get first caps on Nigerian soil on Saturday, but will have to wait another day, after Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr dropped six players from the match day squad for the first leg against Libya.
Idowu and Ajayi were dropped alongside Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi, who copped an injury in the team’s last training session on Friday.
They all missed out along with Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, Chidozie Awaziem of FC Porto and Moses Simon of Levante.
Rohr named three strikers to start on the bench, as Galatasaray’s Henry Onyekuru, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Watford’s Isaac Success waited for second half opportunities, while John Ugochukwu Ogu was the only midfielder among the substitutes, along with two defenders, Kenneth Omeruo and Ola Aina.
Rohr decided to use a 4-2-1-3 formation, Arsenal attacker, Alex Iwobi taking over as attacking midfielder and playmaker, while Ahmed Musa and Samuel Kalu flowing on the wings, with the fullbacks taken over by Abdullahi Shehu and Jamilu Collins.
